A simple distraction device for finger lengthening.

Abstract

A simple, light distraction device was developed for digital lengthening. Materials for this device are one piece of 1.5-mm K-wire, two five-hole miniplates, one one-hole miniplate, two bolts and nuts, and a nonabsorbable suture or surgical wire. These components are easily obtainable, and the device can be assembled easily for each patient during surgery. The principle of distraction using this device is unique: A distal bone segment is pulled straight forward by a suture or surgical wire. This minimizes scar formation on the finger. Finger elongation using commercially available distraction devices needs two transfixations of K-wires, two each for the proximal and distal bone segments, which create scars where the K-wires move. The authors report a clinical application in which their distraction device was used.